Andrea Dinan - Founder
What excites you about EduCanine? I'm a geek who loves education and dogs so being able to combine my two passions in life and work with other geeks like me is a dream come true.
What do you wish you would have learned earlier that would have made your job easier? Being constantly present is very important when working with dogs. Their language is subtle and quick, so if you aren't paying full attention to your dogs, things can go awry very quickly.
What led you to work with dogs? It was something that happened organically. People in my neighbourhood asked me to help with training and walking their dogs. Wanting to have a deeper understanding led me to find ways to educate myself, which led to an even bigger passion for the inner workings of our best friends. And from there, City Dogs was created.
Learn more about Andrea: www.citydogs.ca
Erin Britton - Director
What is exciting about EduCanine?
I am a passionate learner and teacher and I am so excited that there is now an avenue of learning for dog parents and professionals. The world of dogs is so much deeper than what you see around you. I cannot wait for students to dive in and broaden their knowledge and understanding, as well as their love for our amazing canine companions!
What is one important lesson that you have learned from working with dogs?
Dogs have shown me how to shake it off. Our canine companions don't carry their stress around. They shake it off (literally). Following their example of living in the present and shaking off the stressors around me has drastically improved my overall happiness. Thanks puppies.
What is one thing you wish you had learned before you started working with dogs that would have made your job easier?
I wish I would have learned how to build a relationship with ANY dog before starting to work with them. Building and maintaining a positive relationship with a dog makes the job so much easier and more enjoyable, but every dog requires a different approach and you need to understand how they are communicating.
Learn more about Erin : https://www.acoupleofmutts.ca/
Sarah Wertkin - Intern & Fellow Dog Geek
What led you to work with dogs?
The first dog I had as an adult suffered from severe separation anxiety. He was part of a behavioral study at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School’s Behavior Clinic which was headed by Dr. Karen Overall at the time. Long story short, this study propelled me into the world of dog behavior—something I never really gave much thought about before. This was almost twenty-four years ago and I have been living with dogs, learning about them and from them ever since.
What is one important lesson that you have learned from working with dogs?
Dogs are all about opportunity (how clever!) and their bond with humans is one of the most unique relationships between species.
What is the best dog book that you have read?
Dog Sense by John Bradshaw, changed my entire mindset about dogs for the better. Its written in understandable science and beautifully captures the true nature of dogs and their extraordinary evolution. Bradshaw is also an anthrozoologists! I am also a big fan of Marc Bekoff and Alexandra Horowitz—expert researches in dog behavior with accessible and useful reading for everyone.
Sarah is currently completing her Masters in Anthrozoology and completing her internship with EduCanine.
Instructors
Bev Spotton - Owner - Mobile Canine Care
What excites me about EduCanine?
It is a reliable source of excellent information for pet parents about their dogs. This is so important, because there is such a glut of information and, particularly, misinformation, available everywhere. EduCanine is creating a place where pet parents can be assured that they will be getting the very best instruction.
How I was led to working with dogs. By a dog...My 'firstborn', a rescue named Toby, was my first dog teacher. Together, we explored so much! Challenges, adventures, successes. But it was his final illness that led me to learn about massage as a wonderful modality to support health.
Best dog book
So many excellent books available now! But, truthfully, the best 'dog book' I have read and will read, is each and every dog. They all have so much to offer, and so much to teach us - about themselves, about ourselves, about living their best life, whatever their circumstances.
We just have to listen...
Learn more about Bev: https://www.mobilecaninecare.com
Beverly McKee - Co-Founder of EduCanine
to work with dogs?
It was inevitable. I was the youngest member of the TriTown Kennel Club and voted to the board of directors when I was 13 years old. I'm sure that was illegal but they humoured me. I won my first competition trophy in advanced obedience shortly thereafter. It may have been rigged.
What is one important lesson that you have learned from working with dogs?
All dogs are individuals and identifying competing motivators from a dogs-eye view has helped me immensely with figuring out why dogs do the things they do.
What is the best dog book that you have read?
Everyone talks about their AHA! moment and for me, it was reading "The Other End of the Leash" by Dr. Patricia McConnell. For the first time, I looked at dogs as not minions sent to earth to obey us because we happen to give them food and shelter, but as members of a species who communicate in a completely different way than primates. This book, more than any other book, really opened doors to my understanding the "whys" of dog behaviour and how we must appear to them with our insistence on communicating in ways that are completely baffling to them.
Don Hutton - Owner of Running Dogs Training and Behavior
what led to my work with dogs?
I always loved spending time with animals since I was young, I wish I had continued working with animals since my first job as a Vet Assistant, but it took a sketchy Yukon mutt to get me back on course. His name was Bu. A summer with him lead to winters of leading dog sledding tours, before long I was working at the Toronto Humane Society and that’s when I knew I wanted to take the dive into training and behaviour.
what is the best dog book I’ve read?
Well, simply put I think every dog should come with a copy of Jean Donaldson’s Culture Clash! I feel like it’s the most accessible and comprehensive description of how dogs see the world and how we can safely address issues that might come up along the line. She’s my hero! But my other hero is Alexandra Horowitz, he book Inside of a Dog left such an impression on me. I particularly appreciate how she shifts from serious science to gushy dog mom!
which breed best depicts me?
This question feels so exposing! I love northern mutts, sled dogs, reserve dogs, street dogs! This is a huge generalization but I really love a dog who thrives on a hike and I think some of these mentioned are usually pretty good at taking care of themselves. So, to answer the question, I suppose these are the types of dogs I would want to be, I hope they depict me!
Learn more about Don: https://www.runningdogs.ca/
Maggi Burtt - Owner Tailspin Petworx
One thing I learned from working with dogs: Dogs are both infinitely simple and exceedingly complicated, they are to be understood not underestimated.
One thing I wished I learned before I started working with dogs? BODY LANGUAGE hands down
The Best dog book I have ever read? The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
Learn more about Maggi: https://www.tailspinpetworx.com/